It is with great sadness that the U.S. Marxist-Leninist Organization informs you of the untimely passing away of Kim Jong Il, leader of the Korean people and General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. On this occasion Comrade Kathleen Chandler, General Secretary of USMLO sent a letter to Comrade Kim Jung Un, Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and now Supreme Leader of the Korean people expressing the deepest condolences of all the comrades of the U.S. Marxist-Leninist Organization and communists across the United States.

The death of such a devoted leader of all the Korean people is a great loss to the Korean nation. Kim Jong Il, as a leader of the party and people, Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Supreme Commander of the Korean Army, dedicated his entire life and work to the people and to achieving the vital socialist advance of the DPRK. He worked fervently to strengthen economic developments and improve the people’s well-being and standard of living. He led the DPRK on a path of success and the DPRK’s forward march has provided all the world with a profound example of persisting in following one’s own path and upholding principle, despite great difficulties. Kim Jung Il worked tirelessly for Korean reunification and ushered in the historic period of the June 15 North-South Joint resolution and work of the Korean people to advance the cause of reunification and peace.

The USMLO greatly appreciates the work and just stands of Kim Jong Il and the WPK as vital contributions not only to the Korean people but all the world’s peoples. The DPRK defends the rights of all at home and abroad and thus plays a vital role in defending the peace and security of the peoples. It is this stand of the DRPK despite the many provocations and hostile actions of the U.S. government that is defending the peace of the region. The untimely passing of Kim Jong Il is a great loss to the world anti-imperialist and democratic forces and the world communist movement.

We join in mourning Kim Jong Il and stand together with the WPK and people of Korea in this difficult time. We are confident that the Korean communists and people led by their Workers’ Party of Korea will turn their grief into strength and march onward to yet greater victories on the road of independence, national re-unification and socialism.

An official notice from the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, the National Defense Commission of the DPRK, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet of the DPRK reported that Kim Jong Il "passed away of a sudden illness at 8:30 on December 17, [...] on his way to field guidance," in important part of his work in organizing directly among the people. The medical report released the day after confirmed that Kim Jong Il had "suffered an advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock, on the train on December 17, [as a result of] a great mental and physical strain caused by his uninterrupted field guidance tour for the building of a thriving nation."

Kim Jong Il had received medical treatment for his cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period, the Medical Committee said. Every possible first-aid measure was taken immediately but he passed away at 8:30 am on December 17, the Committee said, adding, "An autopsy on December 18 fully confirmed the diagnosis."

The National Funeral Committee of the DPRK has announced that the national mourning period has been set from December 17 to 29. Kim Jong Il's bier will be placed at Kumsusan Memorial Palace where he will lie in state. Mourners will be received from December 20-27. A farewell ceremony will be held in Pyongyang on December 28 and a national memorial service will take place on December 29. Memorial services will take place across the country in conjunction with the national event in Pyongyang. The flags of the DPRK are flying at half mast as the people deeply mourn the loss of their leader.

Reject the Promotion of Doubt and More
War-Mongering Against the Korean People

The U.S. government and monopoly media have been working non-stop since the untimely death of Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to promote doubt about the DPRK and pursue its warmongering by presenting the DPRK as an aggressor. At a time with the people of the DPRK and all Koreans are in mourning, the U.S. expresses no sympathy but rather continues its hostile stands. We urge everyone to reject this war mongering and stand with the Korean people in their time of great grief.

The fact of the matter is, unlike the U.S., which still has occupation troops in both south Korea and Japan, and has nuclear warships in the region, the DPRK has never invaded another country, has no troops or weapons stationed abroad and pursues a policy of mutual respect and friendship with the world’s peoples.

The doubt being spread serves U.S. war preparations against Korea. .The south Koreans, backed by the U.S., are the ones who have put their troops on alert. The U.S. has increased its spying and has almost 28,500 troops occupying the south and at the ready. It is the U.S. that has nuclear weapons and has threatened to use them in a first strike against the DPRK.

The U.S. refuses to recognize the great loss that has been suffered. Instead it spreads its war threats and doubts so as to provide an excuse for its own aggression against the Korean people. This U.S. warmongering and interference is not the way forward and certainly in no way aids the people of Korea.

Kim Jong Il and the DPRK have led the Korean people in standing up for their dignity, independence and reunification. The Koreans are charting their own way forward, a heroic struggle to be supported by all. USMLO calls on everyone to stand with the DPRK and all the Korean people and join in building relations of mutual respect and friendship.